Paddling

Kentucky Canoeing, Rafting & Kayaking

The seemingly never-ending waterways of Kentucky provide the choice between rippling streams, calm lakes, or fierce whitewater rivers. Visitors can embark on anything from Kentucky rafting adventures to good old-fashioned Kentucky canoeing trips. Kentucky is overflowing with opportunities for recreational and serious paddlers alike, thanks to ample public access to our rivers and streams.

Nine of Kentucky's rivers are designated as Kentucky Wild Rivers, which protect their right-of-ways from construction, and any other man-made intrusions. The Wild River corridors comprise a total of 114 miles of water and over 26,000 acres of land.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has started highlighting popular Blue Water Trails throughout the state. These streams and rivers are excellent for both floating and fishing, and are a great way to explore some of the more scenic locations in Kentucky. Click here to learn more.

Explore the listings below to find marinas and more for canoeing, rafting & kayaking in Kentucky!

LAKE CUMBERLAND FUN IN SOMERSET & PULASKI COUNTY

By Marty Rosen
Some folks come to Somerset and Pulaski County in Kentucky because the sparkling waters of Lake Cumberland are known as the “Houseboat Capital of the World.” But the fourth best recreational lake in the United States, as designated by USA Today’s 10Best.com, is also a place where friends and family can fish, play and find cozy anchorages under sunny (or starry) sk...